Jude Bellingham has been handed the England No 10 shirt for the upcoming World Cup, a clear indication that manager Thomas Tuchel views him as a key starter. The Real Madrid star had been competing with Morgan Rogers for the central attacking role, and the squad number assignment suggests Bellingham is favoured ahead of the tournament opener against Croatia on June 17.
Marcus Rashford has also received a boost, being given a first XI shirt number as he battles Anthony Gordon for the left-wing spot. Meanwhile, Nico O’Reilly is expected to start at left back after being assigned a low squad number. The squad numbers, while not definitive, often signal Tuchel’s preferred lineup.
England’s squad assembled in Florida on Monday and held their first training session on Tuesday, an open session for fans at a tennis club in West Palm Beach. Arsenal quartet Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have been given until Friday to report after their European final commitments, while Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson arrives on Wednesday.
Additional training players including Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha, Josh King, Ethan Nwaneri and keeper Jason Steele have joined to bolster numbers. Reece James takes the No 24 shirt he wears for Chelsea, while Ezri Konsa inherits the No 2 shirt previously worn by Kyle Walker. John Stones will wear No 5, but central defensive positions remain open, with Konsa and Marc Guehi currently favourites to start.
